Sergio Scariolo has joined the new Roma SPQR project, taking on a strategic advisory role as the club prepares for its first season in Italy’s top flight and the EuroCup.
The Italian coach has been appointed Special Advisor for Basketball Strategy, with his experience set to be used across the club’s sporting and technical development. Sergio Scariolo will work alongside the ownership, management and basketball department as Roma SPQR builds its new structure ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The club, which was created after acquiring Cremona’s sporting license, will compete in Serie A and the EuroCup in its inaugural campaign.
Alessandro Magro has already been appointed as head coach and will retain full responsibility for the day-to-day management of the first team. Scariolo’s role will instead focus on consultation, strategy and the long-term development of the basketball project.
Sergio Scariolo: I am and remain a coach
Scariolo personally confirmed his new role and made clear that joining Roma SPQR does not represent a change in his professional path.
“I am happy to be able to contribute to a project that looks not only at the team, but also at the development of a broader basketball culture. My role will be to make my experience and expertise available to Roma, contributing to discussions on technical development strategies, the growth of young players and the construction of a sustainable model over time.
Alessandro Magro and his staff will naturally have full responsibility for the team. My contribution will be exclusively advisory and based on dialogue, within a project that wants to look toward the future.
I am and remain a coach, and this continues and will continue to be my professional path. At this stage, I have decided to dedicate part of my time to this initiative, which I approach with enthusiasm also because of the friendships, respect and trust that have connected me for many years with some of the people involved.”
Sergio Scariolo enters the project after most recently working with Real Madrid and remains one of the most experienced coaches in European basketball. His new position with Roma SPQR will allow him to contribute to the construction of the club without taking over the head coaching role.
The project is backed by majority shareholder Donnie Nelson, while Valerio Bianchini will serve as Honorary President and Senior Advisor. Roberto Carmenati is responsible for the club’s operational management.
Roma SPQR to unveil roster and coaching staff
The club will announce its roster and coaching staff on Wednesday, ahead of the start of training camp.
Majority shareholder Donnie Nelson will lead the project’s overall vision, bringing more than three decades of experience in international basketball and the NBA.
“Rome is a unique city in the world and we believe it has all the characteristics to become the home of an equally special basketball project. Our goal is not simply to build a competitive team: we want to create an organization with deep roots in the city, one that can engage the community, families and young people and grow over time through an international vision. We want to build something that Rome can feel part of and be proud of,” Nelson said.
Roma also plans to gradually add experienced figures from Italian, European and American basketball to its structure. The club will establish an Advisory Board, with its composition set to be announced once the selection process is completed.
Roma SPQR will gather at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Center in Rome on Thursday, August 20, officially beginning preparations for the 2026-27 season.
